Prolotherapy: Sugar Injections Resolve Chronic Neck Pain

December 19, 2007

Sugar Injections Resolve Chronic Neck Pain

Researchers writing in Practical Pain Management (October 2007) say

that simple dextrose (sugar) injections improved pain symptoms and

quality of life in chronic neck pain sufferers.

The researchers studied 98 patients who had suffered with chronic

neck pain for a near average of five years and who during that time

had visited with an average of three physicians/pain specialists

without satisfactory resolving of their pain.

Physicians then performed Prolotherapy, a series of injections of a

dextrose (sugar) solution into the neck. In Prolotherapy dextrose is

used as an irritant to stimulate the immune system to rebuild and

repair damaged ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissue that

hold the muscles and bones of the neck in place.

Lead researcher and physician, Ross Hauser, M.D., writes, " The

results of this study showed that patients had a statistically

significant decline in their level of pain, stiffness and crunching

sensation with Prolotherapy. This included clients who were told by

their M.D.(s) that there were no other treatment options or that

surgery was their only answer for their chronic pain. More than 83%

of patients showed improvements in walking ability, exercise

ability, anxiety, depression and overall disability with

Prolotherapy. Ninety percent of patients who were on medications at

the start of Prolotherapy were able to cut their pain medication

usage by 50% or more. Additional pain management care was able to be

lessened by 50% or more in 75% of cases with Prolotherapy. Ninety-

eight percent of patients stated their pain was better with

Prolotherapy. Ninety-seven percent of patients said Prolotherapy

changed their life for the better. "

Further studies on Prolotherapy are currently being performed by

many groups.

For more information on Prolotherapy research please visit

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